AN INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF FIRING PATTERNS ON HEAT TRANSFER AND NO_x FORMATION IN A GLASS FURNACE

摘要

A completely coupled glass furnace simulation that combines calculations for the combustion space, glass melt, and radiative heat transfer throughout the furnace was utilized to perform a parametric study on the effect different firing patterns would have on the flow of molten glass and the production of NO_x. The simulation includes a comprehensive radiation heat transfer model and a reduced NO_x kinetics model coupled to computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes for the combustion space and for the glass melt. Four simulations, based on actual industrial operating conditions, were created and compared to a very limited set of operating data. These comparisons between the computational results and the measurements indicated that the computational results were valid. The results from this parametric study indicate that certain firing patterns will induce a beneficial 'backflow' of molten glass through the throat of the melter. Also, a firing pattern that reduces maximum NO_x production was identified.